Part 12 (1/2)
The Simonidean looked at him scornfully. ”Think you're that good, eh?
Better'n me at b.u.mping off a man, huh? Better'n me?”
”Oh, no,” Hanlon made his face seem very apologetic, and his tone the same. ”I'm not setting myself even one notch ahead of you, nor criticizing your way of working ...”
”Better not, neither!”
”... but every man has his own techniques. Look, in this case, aboard a s.h.i.+p in s.p.a.ce where you can't run or hide, I think my way would work best.”
The other was becoming interested in spite of himself, and his truculence melted a bit, although his tone was still sneering. ”All right, Master Mind, how'd you handle it, how would you?”
”A gun or knife is all right on some jobs,” Hanlon leaned closer and spoke in a semi-whisper, but earnestly. ”But there are times when it's plain foolish to sneak up behind a man and hit him on the head with a club.”
”Yeah, you got something there, got something.”
”In such a case, I figure it's a lot better to make friends with the guy, take him to dinner, then sneak a little cyanide in his coffee--something like that.”
Panek was impressed. Hanlon read the swift thoughts racing across the other's mind. He hadn't liked the idea of using his knife, here on this s.h.i.+p. But neither did he dare report back to that feared ”boss” that he hadn't succeeded in killing Abrams.
Panek spoke doubtfully. ”Yeah, that may be all right, but not when the guy knows you, then you can't get away with a thing like that, not when he knows you.”
”Exactly what I'm getting at,” Hanlon said eagerly. ”Me, I'm the Unknown Quant.i.ty. n.o.body knows me. I can get to old Abrams and make it all seem natural.”
”He ain't easy to fool, no, he ain't.”
”I'm sure he isn't. But since I've got to make a start somewhere if I want to get into things on Simonides, I figure giving you an a.s.sist is worth the trial.”
”Well,” Panek hesitated and his cold eyes bored into those of this enigmatic young man. ”I still don't quite trust you, can't be sure I trust you. I still figure you're some kind of a cop ...”
Hanlon half-rose, his face dark with intense anger. ”Don't ever call me a cop!” he blazed, though still in a whisper. ”I hate 'em. As a kid I thought they were tops, and did everything I could to get into their school. But I mighty quick found out how wrong I was. I was good and sick of 'em, and about ready to quit when they threw me out on that lie about cheating ... say, I knew more'n their knuckle-headed instructors, so why'd I need to cheat?”
”Easy, Pal, take it easy.”
”They just want to use their high and mighty authority,” Hanlon ignored Panek's shus.h.i.+ng. ”They just like to push people around 'cause they got on a pretty uniform.”
His voice had risen in pitch until Panek had to grab his arm and shake him to make him keep still. People at the nearer table were beginning to look at them. But Panek was impressed now with Hanlon's sincerity--the SS man could read that in his mind.
”All right, Pal, all right. Don't bust a gut. You b.u.mp off old Abrams without getting caught, and I'll get you in with a gang on Sime where you can really do yourself some good, really some good.”
Hanlon nodded shortly and rose. ”I'll keep in touch. And your man's as good as dead right now.”
His heart was singing--his plan was working smoothly. Now if that government man had any brains, and would play along ...
Hanlon found Abrams in the library, and slipped into the seat next to him. Opening a magazine and holding it fairly high before his face while apparently reading it, Hanlon started talking in low but penetrant tones.
”Don't look up, Mr. Abrams, but listen to me. You may or may not know it, but there's a plot against your life. I managed to delay it yesterday, but they intended getting you before we reach port. Now I have a plan. I earnestly beg you to listen and work with me.”
The Simonidean had given a slight start when he heard Hanlon's first words, but he had been well-trained in a hard school, and in no other way had even shown that he heard. Now, however, he spoke as guardedly as Hanlon. ”Who is trying to kill me?”
”A man named Panek, but someone's behind him that I don't know. But the question is: will you work with me?”